ones that have been left off, pennsylvania is a classic example, minnesota, but i'm going to throw in california as well, it's all of these places where romney is now polling better, particularly in better shape than john mccain was. there has been no engagement so there's -- there has been a better opportunity for him there, andrea. i think that's what you're seeing here a little bit and i think the obama campaign realizes they have to respond. >> and what about the des moines register editorial, we say editorials don't make a lot of difference but iowa is where barack obama got his first lift by beating the field in those caucuses back in '08. it's got to sting some. >> absolutely. it's a symbolic sting. there was that bizarre kerfuffle between the president, the white house, the campaign and the editorial board. how much did that contribute to this? i think iowa is more important to romney's math than even ohio. that's why they're trying to grab on to this to show that it's evidence of momentum. >> chuck todd, thanks so much from the white house today. and joining me to discuss the final week